Head Start Preschool Teacher

1. Associate degree or higher in child development, early childhood education, or related field 2. 12 semester units of Early Childhood Education or Child Development courses, including three semester units Supervised Field Experience in an Early Childhood Education setting 3. A Child Development Associate Teacher Permit or higher from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) OR the ability to obtain a permit within 90 days of employment

Essential functions

• 1.
• Establish and maintain a safe, healthy, clean, nurturing, and inviting learning environment for children; 2.
• Support the social, intellectual and emotional development of children; 3.
• Implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum for preschool children; 4.
• Build the basic curriculum on a caregiving routines as a shared experience between teacher and child; 5.
• Supervise children both indoors and outdoors at all times; 6.
• Plan and implement learning experiences and utilize integrated curriculum plans, which reflect mandated elements and components, parental and cultural influences, and promote and advance the intellectual, social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of infants and toddlers; 7.
• Complete all developmentally appropriate assessments and screenings on all children as required; 8.
• Develop skill based, individualized classroom activities for each child based on parental input, direct observations, and developmental assessments/screenings including identified activities designed for children with special needs based on their Individual Education Plan; 9.
• Promote parent involvement by reinforcing the role parents as primary caregiver and educator of their child(ren); 10.
• Plan and coordinate the work of the teacher assistant and work cohesively with other staff; 11.
• Demonstrate cultural competency and respect for the child's background by incorporating the cultural, linguistic and familial values and beliefs into the childcare program and lesson plans; 12.
• Assist families with children's transitions from toddler to preschool and/or from preschool to kindergarten;

• 13.
• Maintain a cooperative attitude of working together with the teacher assistant(s), volunteers, parents, and program specialists in planning and implementing activities; 14.
• Implement the developmental assessment for each child to determine the child’s strengths and areas in which each child may need help; 15.
• Plan with the teacher assistant in preparing materials and supplies in advance for activities; 16.
• Implement behavior plans designed by resource/mentor teachers and/or mental health specialists; 17.
• Develop a positive relationship with each child and promote the development of self-esteem and self-discipline; 18.
• Ensure full implementation of IEPs and inclusion of children with disabilities and special needs; 19.
• Develop activities based on Individual Education Plan (IEP) for children with special needs; 20.
• Conduct a minimum of two (2) home visits with primary caregivers and two (2) parent/teacher conferences per family, per academic year; 21.
• Conduct direct observations on children and record data; 22.
• Collect data and file in children’s portfolios and files;

23. Ensure routines such as diapering, toileting/training, hand washing, tooth brushing, eating, napping, and transitioning between activities are carried out in a manner that is prompt, hygienic, and consistent with regulations and good child development practices; 24. Work effectively with other staff at the center to promote teamwork, maintaining professionalism and continuously sustaining a positive environment.

Physical requirements

• 1.
• Good manual dexterity of hands and fingers to demonstrate activities or run instructional equipment; 2.
• Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods; 3.
• Must be able to reach overhead as well above the shoulders and horizontally ; 4.
• Requires repetitive bending at the waist, as well as kneeling, stooping, crouching to assist children; 5.
• Hearing and speaking to exchange information, make presentations, hear in a noisy environment and locate the sources of a sound for health and safety including crying by children; 6.
• Must have excellent speaking and hearing ability; 7.
• Must be able to input data using a computer terminal keyboard; 8.
• Seeing to read a variety of materials and monitor children’s activities is essential; 9.
• Walk for extended periods of time; 10.
• Handle or feel with fingers, reach with hands and climb or balance, or crawl; 11.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus; and 12.
• Move, push, pull if needed while moving and holding children and ability to physically interact with young children through running, chasing, bending, stooping, climbing, and standing with occasional lifting up to 40 lbs.

Additional Information

Prior to employment, in compliance with Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 as amended, employment candidate will be required to provide either proof of U.S. citizenship or other documents that establish the candidate’s eligibility to be employed in the U.S. Head Start regulations require that no person shall work in any Head Start program until they have been fingerprinted and cleared through the Department of Justice.

AKA Head Start is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No person will be denied employment, discriminated against, or prohibited from participating fully in employment opportunities for reasons of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), creed, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition), age, gender, gender identity, political affiliation, sexual orientation, genetic characteristic, marital status, military or veteran status, medical or physical disability, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by federal state, or local law.

Applicants will be required to obtain a Health Screening, TB clearance, proof of immunization against measles and pertussis (MMR and Tdap vaccines), and background clearance prior to starting employment.